The stock of one major NM political figure is on the rise as John Kerry picked North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate today. Attorney General Patricia Madrid is in for a more noticeable role in the coming campaign and the chance to continue to boost her profile here as she casts about for her next political opportunity. She was an early and ardent supporter of trial lawyer Edwards who campaigned here for the February NM Dem Prez caucuses, including a stop in Barelas in the ABQ Valley. Edwards had an active NM organization led by Madrid who campaigned around the state for him and cut radio spots touting his credentials. But Edwards did not exactly electrify state Dems who gave him just 10% of their votes in those caucuses placing him fourth in the field.

Madrid was also not shy in helping Edwards raise money in NM, particularly among the legal community. Edwards' campaigned on a theme of "two America's," in which the lower and middle classes struggled while the wealthy were on easy street. Coming from a rural state like North Carolina, Edwards may be able to help Kerry in southern NM, the most conservative area of the state and the one in which Bush is going to go for blow-out numbers in order to win here. While the Edwards selection puts Madrid back in play in Prez politics, she does not one-up her longtime political rival, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Diane was one of the first to hop on the Kerry bandwagon here.

CNN is reporting today that the new Dem ticket will visit New Mexico Friday. Read more of my analysis of the Edwards pick and its impact on NM in today's ABQ Tribune

Big Bill's withdrawal from the Veep race was seen as grandstanding in many media quarters where it was said he never really had a chance. But the Big Guy did do the state a favor by having the Dems conduct a caucus here early, especially that now one of the candidates who campaigned here and knows our state better has been chosen as the number two man today.

NAMING NAMES....OR NOT

Brennan
TV insiders report that KRQE-TV investigative reporter Larry Barker is mulling over naming more names contained in that 1998 law enforcement report alleging cocaine sniffing in judicial circles when the station debuts its new investigative show, "48 Hours New Mexico," Wednesday, July 7 at 8 p.m.

Bernalillo County Chief District Judge John Brennan was already named by the station as one of those in the report. They did that on the basis that he had already been arrested for the crime and therefore, the "unverified information" in the report had ben verified. But it is a much tricker issue with three other district court judges, several defense attorneys and some state legislators who are also reportedly named in that report which was based on information provided by an informant to law enforcement investigating drug dealing in NM.

Barker, if he doesn't name names, may "make it clear who he is talking about," according to one insider. No government agency has announced it will take a look at that 98' report leaving it to Barker and other intrepid types types to dig deeper and report whether the names contained in it are still on the job and whether the report has credible information. But that really isn't Barker's job or that of the press. Taxpayers already pony up plenty for law enforcement and the courts. Why can't they do their job, or at least hire Barker to do it for them?

DRINK OF CHOICE: JACK & COKE

And in a another note on the court coke scandal, KRQE-TV is reporting that Brennan was indeed driving drunk when he was picked up for coke possession in late May. They say his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, but Santa Fe District Attorney Henry Valdez, the special prosecutor in the case, refuses to confirm that. Perhaps Valdez has good reasons,(we'd like to hear them) but this is public information. Some reporters are wondering whether Valdez is aware that his political future may also be on the line as he handles this highest profile case of his career.

According to KRQE, the first episode of "48 Hours New Mexico," modeled after the CBS program "48 Hours," will focus on "cocaine use among New Mexico's high society." Well, cocaine use, yes. But 'high society?' Or is that a take on the word "high."

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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